A First for the Canary Islands
October 14th, 2008TAKINGS rose along with the temperature as the crowds came out to celebrate World Animal Day on Saturday, October 4.
Hundreds poured into the Los Gigantes Plaza for an Animal Awareness Day combined with a fête and nearly new sale run by the Santiago del Teide branch of Asociación San Francisco de los Animales.
And, after rummaging through the lavish stocks of nearly new clothes, jewellery and household items, they found the perfect way to cool down – as targets in the wet sponge stocks.
A soaking sponge in the face guaranteed satisfaction – and a load of laughs for other visitors to the fête.
But the really satisfying news was the day’s totting up of takings on the animal charity’s first ever nearly new sale.
Generous fete-goers happily paid more than €3,000 for the quality goods kindly donated by supporters and many local businesses – all of whom have received letters of thanks for their generosity.
And the biggest sweat of the day was worked up by Islands Transport, which ferried the mass of goods to and from the sale.
After deduction of expenses the day raised a walloping total of €2,769.43, all of which will be spent on the care, vets’ bills and re-homing of the area’s many stray dogs and cats.
The event organised by Santiago del Teide branch of Asociación San Francisco de los Animales was the first and only celebration of World Animals Day in the Canary Islands. Only two other associations within the whole of Spain registered to participate in this worldwide event.
World Animal Day was started in 1931 at a convention of ecologists in Florence as a way of highlighting the plight of endangered species. Since then it has grown to encompass all kinds of animal life and is widely celebrated in countries throughout the world. October 4 was chosen as World Animal Day as it is the feast day of St Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals.
It is intended as a day of celebration for anyone in the world who cares about animals. It is not restricted to any one nationality, creed, religion, political belief or ideology.
The Animal Awareness tent had a steady stream of visitors who were interested in the work done by the Santiago del Teide branch of Asociación San Francisco de los Animales. They were also able to see pictures of animals found in dreadful conditions and read about the recent municipal by-law regarding responsible dog ownership.
And they were able to give an encouraging pat to a rake-thin abandoned Podenco (Canarian hunting dog) now being cared for by the association – living proof of the plight of so many dogs on Tenerife.
The branch would like to extend its grateful thanks, on behalf of the animals within their care, to all the helpers, sponsors of prizes and home baking, and the public who supported the event.
Pictures above:
1. One in the face for Dave Morgan, helper at the wet sponge stocks.
2. Eager bargain-hunters thronged around the clothes and jewellery stalls half an hour before the fête got under way.
3. Magpie, the rake-thin Podenco
More pictures below
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